Cover structure for suitcases, valises, and similar carrying cases



Mamh'iio, 1948. A. HOCHNER 2,438,780

COVER STRUCTURE FOR SUITCASES, VALISES, AND SIMILAR CARRYING CASES Filed Nov. 29, 1946 /4 Z3 y F951 4 zfj; jig; Z15 Jo 21 52 /Z v /9 I INVENTOR. [6 b BY 445x flaw/m9? z A v// 4 I5 Patented Mar. 30, 1948.

2,438,780 covna STRUCTURE FOR surroasss.

IMILAR- VALISES, CASES ANDS CARRYING Alex Hocliner, New York, N. Y. Application November 29, 1946, Serial No. 712,833

6 Claims. (01. 190-41? relating to carrying cases, suitcases, valises or similar pieces of luggage.

It is one of the main objects of this invention to provide means assisting in the obtainment of a strong and sturdy frame structure for suitcases and the like whose shape will always be maintained and which is particularly adapted to cooperate with a relatively flexible top wall or.

cover which will bear against said frame structure for closing purposes.

It is another object of this invention to provide means ensuring maximum'fllling capacity for suitcases and like pieces of lugga e and facilitating retention of the packed garments or clothes in a position in which they do not interfere with the slide fastener means or other closure elements usually employed for closing such carrying cases.

A further object of the present invention is to provide means rendering possible the positioning of one of the rows of the slide fastener means on the surface of the frame ledge and intermediate the opposed ends thereof, whereby a substantially dustproof closure between the frame and the relatively flexible top wall or cover is obtained without sacrificing any of the known advantages of such flexible covers.

A further object of the invention is to provide means enabling ready adjustment of the position of the flexible cover with respect to the frame structure, but permitting the cover nevertheless to give or bulge when additional articles or items are placed in the new valise or suitcase. Still another object of the invention is to provide means for stiffening or reinforcing that top wall portion of the valise or suitcase with which the flexible cover or complementary top wall part cooperates.

Yet, another object of the present invention is to provide means facilitating packing and disposing of articles within said valise or suitcase and creating therewithin a predetermined space for which the aforesaid frame ledge forms a boundary against which said articles may abut.

With the above and other objects in view, the

invention will be hereinafter more particularly described and the combination and arrangement of parts will be shown in the accompanying drawing and pointed out in the claims which form part of the specification.

Reference will now .be had to the drawin wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a, perspective view of a suitcase in closed condition, embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of the suitcase of Fig. 1, partly in open condition;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. '2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken through-a corner of a suitcase embodying the invention in a modified form.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, there is shown in Fig. 1 a suitcase l0 having side walls H, a bottom wall (not shown) and a top wall or cover l2. The suitcase Ill is conventional but for thecover l2 and its particular attachment about to be described.

As can be seen from Figs. 2 and 3, the top wall l2 of the suitcase it) extends to a location remote from the edge E3 of the upright side wall ll. Side wall H has an inwardly extending ledge II which is sufliciently wide to retain within the interior [5 of the suitcase l0 articles [6 placed therein, and also to receive on the top H of the ledge M the edge I8 of the flexible cover l2, as well as the closure means fastener l9.

As seen in Figs. with a binding 20 which 3 and 4. ledge M is provided may preferably be made from leather or rubberized material having sumcient strength and elasticity. This binding 20 is fixed along the free edge 2| 0f the ledge I4 and embraces the same to a certain extent. In the present instance, the binding 20 further holds the tape 22 of the lower slide fastener elements 19a and is affixed to the ledge It by means of stitches 23. It is wellunderstood that any other attaching means, such as glue or any suitable adhesive may be employed instead of stitches 23.

It is to be observed that'the upper wall 20a of the binding 20 is preferably of such height or thickness that between said upper wall 20a and lower slide fastener elements I91: 9. space 25 is created lntowhich the reinforced end 24 of the flexible cover l2 fits.

This reinforced end closed condition of the abutment position'withing 20.

As will be seen from Fig. 4, the flexible cover 12 may consist of two layers, an outer layer 28 made of leather or similar strong andpressureresistant material, and an inner layer 28 of canvas, rubberized material and the like, which may suitably form a lining for the .outer ,layer 28.

24 has a rim 2: which in cover I! comes to lie in the edge 21 of the bindin the form of a slide the reinforced end 24 which may be thus attached to the layers 28 and 29, as it is well understood.

As may be easily realized from Figs. 3 and 4, cover I2 when being moved down onto the relatively stifi' frame or ledge I4 in the direction of arrow A to achieve closing of the suitcase I0, will said binding and the top surface of the ledge I4 I immediately adjust itself with respect to the space 25 so that the slide fastener elements I 9a and I9b may be readily actuated by the slide 33 to close the cover I2 on the suitcase I0.

As can be seen from Fig. 3, reinforced end 24 in closed condition of cover I2 is received within the space 25 and protects the interior I5 of the suitcase I against access of dust from the outside through slide fastener I9.

It is well understood that the binding 20 and the reinforced end 24 of layer 29 may also be made of rubber or other pliable and plastic material to bring about a substantially tight engaging fit and meander-shaped connection between the frame-shaped led e I4 and the cover I2 of the suitcase Ill.

It will be seen from the above that although the cover I2 may be tightly closed on ledge I4, the cover is still allowedto bulge or give (indicated in dot-dash line in Fig. 3) to ensure maximum filling capacity for the suitcase or like luggage and to facilitate retention of the packed articles I6 beneath the surface 34 of the ledge I4, whereby the articles are prevented from interfering with the slide fastener means or other closure elements usually employed.

Since the frame-shaped ledge I4 considerably reinforces the top wall I2 of the suitcase I I), a sturdy structure is achieved despite the fact that the complementary part of the top wall I2 which is flexible may give so that the new suitcase combines the advantages of a suitcase with entirely,

stiff walls and of a suitcase having a flexible wall extending the entire length of the cover,

Fig. 5 shows a similar structure as that illustrated in Fig. 3 with the exception that the outer layer 28a of the cover I2a extends beyond the slide fastener I9 and forms a flap 28b whose end is closed adjacent the edge I3 of the upright side wall II by means of snap buttons 35 so that the flexible cover I2a is substantially co-extensive with the upright side wall II although ledge I4 is employed for the purposes and advantages hereinabove referred to.

. The extension 28?) contributes to the aesthetic appearance of the outer shape of the suitcase or similar piece of luggage and further provides between it and the ledge I4 a space 36 in which an umbrella or any other elongated articles may be temporarily housed. This structure, .of course, improves further the protection of the valise or suitcase against dust and the like.

Briefly, it may be stated and it can be seen that there has been provided according to this inventlon a suitcase or valise of the character described which has a substantially rigid body I0 including side walls II having an upper margin I3 and a top ledge I4. The top ledge I4, which is U-shaped and defines an opening I4a, extends substantially at right angle to the side walls I I and is connected to the latter at the upper margin I3 thereof. The inner edge 2| of the ledge I4 is provided with 4 a binding 20 forming a reinforcement. Between said binding, whereby a space 25 is obtained be-- tween said binding and said lower fastener element I9a. The suitcase further includes a flexible cover I2 which is swingably disposed on said suitcase body and shaped to overlie said opening Na in closed condition of said suitcase. The cover I2 includes an outer layer 28 and an inner layer 29 forming a lining for said outer layer, the inner layer terminating in a reinforced end 24 adapted to engage at 29 said binding 20 and to fit within said space 25 in closed condition of the suitcase.

A tape 3| carrying upper fastener elements I9?) is disposed at and projects beyond said reinforced end 24 of said cover. The upper fastener elements I9b are engageable with said lower fastener elements I9a upon closing of said cover and being spaced from said upright walls I I.

According to a modification of said structure, the outer layer 28a includes an extension flap 28b overlying said binding 20, said reinforced end ,24 and said fastener elements I9 and is adapted for engagement with said ledge I4 adjacent said upper margin I3 of said walls. Interfitting formations 35a, 351: formed of snap buttons are, re-

spectively, disposed at said ledge I4 and at said Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is: 1

1. In a suitcase provided with upright walls; a, frame-shaped ledge angularly directed from and forming an extension of said upright walls, said frame-shaped ledge terminating in a free edge, said free edge being provided with a bind ing, said binding including a tape carrying first fastener elements, said first fastener elements being movably positioned on said ledge and substantially intermediate said binding and said upright walls, whereby a space 'is' provided between said binding and said first fastener elements. a cover arranged for position on said ledge, said cover terminating in a reinforced end for location within said space, in closed condition of said suitcase, and a tape fixed above and projecting beyond said reinforced end andcarrying secondfastener elements, said second fastener elements being complementary to said first fastener elements and facilitating closing of said suitcase. 2. In a suitcase provided with upright walls;

a. frame-shaped ledge fonning an open top and angularly extending from said upright walls, said frame-shaped ledge having a free inner edge, said inner edge being provided with a binding, a tape' carrying first fast'ener elements extending from said binding onto said ledge for position intermediate said binding and said upright walls, whereby a space is provided between said binding and said first fastener elements, a flexible cover for closing said open ,top of said suitcase, said cover including a, lining terminating in a rein- "wasps forced for position within said space. and a tape fixed above and proiectingbeyond said reinforced end and carrying second fastener elements, said second fastener elements being comple'mentary to said first fastenerelements and facilitating closing of said suitcase;

3. A suitcase and like luggage having upright walls comprising a frame-shaped ledge forming an open top and extending angularly to said upright walls, said ledge terminating .in an edge,

means reinforcing said edge and extending from the latter on, said ledge, a tape carrying first fastener elements attached to said reinforcing means, whereby said first fastener elements come to lie on said ledge and substantially intermediate said reinforcing means and said upright walls to thereby form a space between said means and said first fastener elements, a flexible-cover fixed to one of said upright walls and swingable thereabout for closing said open .top of said suitcase, said cover including a reinforced rim, said rim substantially flexible cover swingably disposed on said body and shaped to overlie said opening in closed condition of said suitcase, said cover including an outer layer and an inner layer forming a lining for said outer layer, said'inner layer terminating in a reinforced end adapted to engage said binding and to fit within said space in said closed condition, and a tape carrying second .fastener elements and disposed at and projecting beyond said'reinforced end of said cover, said second fastener elements being engageable with 'said first fastener elements upon closing of said cover and being spaced from said upright walls.

6. A suitcase or valise I scribed comprising a substantially rigid body ineludin ide walls having an upper margin. and Y a top wall, said top wall being provided with a being adapted 'for position withinsaid space, and v for engagement with said reinforcing means, whereby a substantially dustproof connection is obtained, and a tape projecting beyond said reinforced rim and carrying second fastener elements, said secondfastener elements being com-I 'plementary to said first fastener elements and facilitating closing of cover on said suitcase.

4. A suitcase and like luggage having substantially rigid upright walls and a flexible cover swingably attached thereto, a top ledgevforniing a frame, said frame being substantially rigid and extending from said upright walls, said ledge having a reinforced inner edge, a tape carrying first fastener elements and extending from said reinforced edge to a position substantially intermediate said edge and said upright walls, whereby a space is provided between said reinforced edge and said first fastener elements, said flexible cover being adapted for position onto said ledge and terminating short of said upright walls from which said ledge extends, said cover including a lining terminating in a reinforced rim, said rim being adapted for position within said space and for engagement with said reinforced inner edge, and a tape fixedlabove and projecting beyond said reinforced edge and carrying second fastener elements for engagement with said first fastener elements to close said suitcase.

5. A suitcase or valise of the character, described comprising a substantially rigid body including side walls having an upper margin and a top wall, said top wall being provided with a rectangular opening, said opening being defined by a U-shaped ledge extending substantially at right angle to said side walls and being connected to the latter at the upper margin thereof, the inner edge of said ledge being provided with a binding forming a reinforcement of said edge,

a tape carrying first fastener elements retained by said binding on the top of said ledge and ex-- tending a predetermined distance from said binding, whereby a space is obtained between said binding and said first fastener elements, a

rectangular opening, said opening being defined by a U-shaped ledge extending substantially at right angle to said side walls and being connected to the latter at the upper margin thereof, the inner edge of said ledge being provided with a binding forming a reinforcement of said edge, a tapecarrying first fastener elements retained by said binding on the top of said ledge and extending a predetermined distance from said binding. whereby a space is obtained between said binding and said first fastener elements, a substantially flexible cover swingably disposed on said body and shaped to overlie said opening in closed condition of said suitcase, said cover including an outer layer and an inner layer forming a lining for said outer layer, said inner layer terminating in a reinforced end adapted to engage said binding and to fit within said space in said closed condition, a tape carrying second fastener elements and disposed at and projecting beyond said reinforced end of said cover, said second. fastener elements being engageable with said.

first fastener elements upon closing ofsaid cover of the character de-.

and being spaced from said upright walls, said outer layer including an extension flap overlying said binding, said reinforced end and said fastener elements and adapted for engagement with said ledge adjacent said upper margin of said side walls, and interfitting formations at said ledge and at said extension flap for effectuating said engagement.

' ALEX HOCHNER.

REFERENCES orrnn The following references are of record in the 'flle of this patent: 

